"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by
stupidity."

16
Ways To Keep Warm And Reduce Your Bills In Winter

Having moved from a warm climate
where we worried about keeping cool to a cold climate with often unpredictable
weather was a bit of challenge.Last
winter was brutal and the Farmer’s Almanac says this one will be just as bad.

Of course, we caulked and insulated well so last year’s heating bills
never got out of control.We also make
use of newer,more efficient space heaters early in the season rather than
turning on the furnace…why heat the whole house if you only need a room or two?

Successive
nights of several degrees below freezing would seem to leave you with two basic
options a) spend more money b) shiver. Sitting there freezing is not really a
good option – and I know about this from experience in my younger days, having
experienced several winters in places with no central heating and at some times
having had no heating at all! It’s unpleasant and probably bad for your health.

Turning up
the dial and spend more money will keep the place warm, but that isn’t always
ideal either! Heating is one of the most expensive uses of home energy. The
good news is that there are many things you can do to cut your heating costs –
and some of them are surprisingly simple. Our friends over at Home Made Home
Ideas put together several practical ideas.

Some of
these ideas have an interesting “low tech” / survival angle – for example “How
To Heat A Room For $0.12 A Day” - be aware however that using just
candles for heating will produce some condensation.

Bonus tip:
One of my favorite tips for keeping a place warmer is to hang thick blankets or
even duvets across doorways and windows. Much of the heat is lost through doors
and windows and this simple, free tip will help you make the most of your
existing heating.

Heat Loss
Winter is approaching. Would you like to keep the glacial wind out of your
house? Are cold floors and drafts common in your house? Will you resign
yourselves to feel miserable the whole winter? How informed are you about
potential leaks in your house? Do you know how to detect those leaks and how to
take care of them? A little time and work will keep the heat indoors, and as a
result, your health, your home and your wallet will benefit. Read
more.

Winter energy savings for renters - you
don't need to own your home to save on heating billsread
more here

ANOTHER USEFUL TIP: Snuggle up with each other!

Winterizing Tips

Check pressure in your vehicle's tires. Either today or
the next time you get gasoline. If you have a gauge (cost about $3), you can do
it at home.

Check your car's oil. If you don't know how to do it,
check your owner's manual or do an online search for your make, model and
"check oil instructions."

Service your furnace. Check burners or heating coils.
Check blower fans. Call for professional service if needed.

Commonly
available household disinfectants:Read this
information carefully and see manufacturers instruction before use. These are
not harmless cleaners.

The Frugal Kitchen: Eggs
I think that many of you out there have the same goals that I do when feeding
my family. I do my best to cook from scratch, to provide well-balanced meals
and snacks and to do so on a budget, always looking for new recipes, tricks and
tips to save in this area (one of the few areas I feel like I can control!).
One of the ways I'm trying to accomplish these goals is by really thinking
about nutritional items that are inexpensive and diverse in the kitchen. This
post I'll talk about my favorite: Eggs! Read more.

How to Prevent Freezer Burn
We've all done it. You pull some meat or a left-over casserole out of the
freezer, unwrap it, and it just doesn't look right. Your meat has turned grey,
or the casserole is encased in ice crystals. What you have is called freezer
burn, and it is a result of food not being properly wrapped or left too long in
the freezer.